- author, James Pearson
- role, BBC Political Correspondent, Hereford and Worcester
In Worcester, judo and jiu-jitsu techniques are being used to train seniors to help them fall safely.
The sessions, led by the University of Worcester's School of Sport and Exercise Science, aim to prevent fractures.
According to the NHS, falls are the most common reason for older people to visit the emergency department – statistically, one in three adults aged 65 and over will fall at least once a year.
The university is currently developing training courses to certify instructors across the country.
Every Monday morning, Worcester College's senior athletics members spend about 15 minutes practicing four different types of falls.
There is also a martial arts-style “belt” grading system to encourage gradual improvement.
“I think we were about brown belts!” said Martin Driscoll, who competed with his partner Carol.
“We’re in our 70s and at an age where we start thinking about falls.
“A lot of it is about strengthening your core and creating that almost subconscious power triangle with your hands and palms when you fall.”
“The idea is that if it falls over, it will stop on its own,” Carol Driscoll said.
Mark Scriven, the university's director of strength and conditioning, said the sessions are aimed at preparing seniors' bodies for a fall so that it becomes “almost muscle memory.”
Over the course of several years, he developed a training program, applying Judo and Jiu-Jitsu techniques for landing and rolling.
“My motivation was having a family member who had a fall and broke their hip and then ended up in a care home,” he said.
“The costs of ambulance services, hip replacements, broken collarbones and so on are astronomical so hopefully the NHS will benefit.”
In Worcestershire alone, falls result in around 2,000 emergency admissions per year, costing the local NHS an estimated £20 million.
Nationally, the cost is estimated at £4.4 billion.
“We recognise this is a growing issue,” said Dr Catherine Cockburn, chief nursing officer for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, who praised the college's programme.
“I think it's wonderful.”
“We know that being hospitalized can lead to muscle wasting… which puts you at greater risk of becoming even more unwell.”
Libraries across Worcestershire are also providing residents with free resistance bands and leaflets with simple steps to improve their balance.
According to the NHS, one in three adults over 65 and half of those over 80 will fall at least once a year.
They include Shan South, 70, a walking group leader who tripped and broke her collarbone while walking two years ago.
“Before I would trip and fall face-first onto the ground, but now I think my core strength helps me recover,” she said.
Before participating in a fall workshop, assess the core strength of all gym members to ensure the training is not too demanding.
For Wendy Melton, 75, who has osteoporosis, it's a welcome offer of help.
“I have naturally low bone density, so if I fall I'm more likely to injure myself.
“So it's great to have the opportunity to try it out.”
